Low Buck Stroker
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2009
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Low Buck Stroker
I have a 69 F250 C/S with a 390.
I found a set of rebuilt "H" code closed chamber heads and now I'm looking for a 428 crank. I know I'll need to have the crank balanced.
I'm trying to sort out the "room to bore" issue on the FE blocks.
According to the info in "Ford Performance" all FE blocks are the same casting with different bore sizes. Shouldn't this mean that the outside edge of each cylinder wall is the same with the only difference being how much metal is removed to create the cylinder diameter?
In other words. Two blocks following each other out of the mold. First one could be a 352 and the next could be a 427 no?
If I can't bore oversize will 390 pistons work with a 428 crank and closed chamber heads and a cam lift around 450?
I haven't found specs on piston pin heights of all the different FE motors yet.
Thanks, Jon D
I found a set of rebuilt "H" code closed chamber heads and now I'm looking for a 428 crank. I know I'll need to have the crank balanced.
I'm trying to sort out the "room to bore" issue on the FE blocks.
According to the info in "Ford Performance" all FE blocks are the same casting with different bore sizes. Shouldn't this mean that the outside edge of each cylinder wall is the same with the only difference being how much metal is removed to create the cylinder diameter?
In other words. Two blocks following each other out of the mold. First one could be a 352 and the next could be a 427 no?
If I can't bore oversize will 390 pistons work with a 428 crank and closed chamber heads and a cam lift around 450?
I haven't found specs on piston pin heights of all the different FE motors yet.
Thanks, Jon D
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 166
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From: Waco, Tx
sadly no, any FE cant become a 427..at least not in bore size. the 427's were all made on the same line if i'm not mistaken. Some can go to 428 specs 4.13 but not all will do this. As far as I know the reverse 105 blocks are your best bet to going to 4.13. they are an industrial block and have thicker webs. You need to sonic test any block before boring it over though. Wish it was simpler.
Good luck finding a 428 crank, not many out there. And the price of buying a new one(3.98stroke) is the same as the stroker cranks. Which is how I made my decision to build a 445.
)
Good luck finding a 428 crank, not many out there. And the price of buying a new one(3.98stroke) is the same as the stroker cranks. Which is how I made my decision to build a 445.
)
New User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 19
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This crank is way less
I purchased one thru the car shop for way less and used the silvolite 1.665 compression height pistons in my 418 for around $670 w/o rings and labor. Shipping was included too. I don't know if Keith Black is associated with silvolite?
You get this crank which is almost the same as a machined 428, uses std. bearings, and doesn't need any mallory metal during balancing either. Most of the weight was removed in the pistons if any?
EAGLE 104283980 BBF FE CAST STEEL CRANK $408.95 BUY ONLINE
I'm running C4AE-G heads with CJ sized valves. I hope to get it to the dynojet soon for some numbers when I return from vacation.
You get this crank which is almost the same as a machined 428, uses std. bearings, and doesn't need any mallory metal during balancing either. Most of the weight was removed in the pistons if any?
EAGLE 104283980 BBF FE CAST STEEL CRANK $408.95 BUY ONLINE
I'm running C4AE-G heads with CJ sized valves. I hope to get it to the dynojet soon for some numbers when I return from vacation.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 4
From: Golden, CO
Originally Posted by JesusRocks
sadly no, any FE cant become a 427..at least not in bore size.
Sometimes the mold components got mixed up and you could find features from different block applications, but my understanding is that this was the exception.
Survival motorsports has stroker packages that are tailored to your spec and internally balanced before being shipped. The up-front price seems high, but you can't beat the value unless you have compromising photographs of your local machinist.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 8
From: Gadsden Purchase
This thread is about "low buck stroker". ;)
What if a guy just wants a "cheap" 410FE "stroker" for his pickup.
No street racing or Indy stuff. ;)
No headers.
Not going to hit 4000 rpm except by accident, more like 3500 rpm max.
What would you guys suggest then?
FT heads and manifolds work as well as FE heads and manifolds in that case?
Come on guys, help me get away from my 360FE.
I'm retired, can't be spending a bunch of money. ;)
Maybe it's just plain ol' out of reach for me? :/
Alvin in AZ
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
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From: SW Michigan
how low buck....
It depends on how low buck we are going to be............If you're trying to stay on a tight budget, sticking to a 3.784 stroke crank from a 390 is definately the cheapest way to go. If you aren't going to have headers and spin it high enough to enjoy it, thats probably what you should stick to.
Headers and a decent cam are needed and should be thought of before you worry about stroking, IMO. Every FE needs headers 'cause the factory logs are SO bad. Yes, every FE, even if you don't plan on reving above 3K. And if you aren't going to wind up to at least 6K sometimes, why don't you get a diesel ? And a cam that is .450 is just plain too small. The cam in my trailer tugger has a 390 with .533/.566 lift.
The next step up from a 390, and still thinking as cheap as we can be, is a new 3.98 crank that lets you use your FE 390 rods and smogger truck pistons, 1.66 tall, and you'll have a 410.
But if I were going to spend the money on a new crank, I would seriously contemplate a 4.250 crank and new rods and custom pistons to build a 445. But its your truck and its your choice. DinosaurFan
Headers and a decent cam are needed and should be thought of before you worry about stroking, IMO. Every FE needs headers 'cause the factory logs are SO bad. Yes, every FE, even if you don't plan on reving above 3K. And if you aren't going to wind up to at least 6K sometimes, why don't you get a diesel ? And a cam that is .450 is just plain too small. The cam in my trailer tugger has a 390 with .533/.566 lift.
The next step up from a 390, and still thinking as cheap as we can be, is a new 3.98 crank that lets you use your FE 390 rods and smogger truck pistons, 1.66 tall, and you'll have a 410.
But if I were going to spend the money on a new crank, I would seriously contemplate a 4.250 crank and new rods and custom pistons to build a 445. But its your truck and its your choice. DinosaurFan
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
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Alvin-I found a 410 in a '71 C/S in a backwoods junkyard. Paid $100+ tax for it and the owners helped me fork it out and put it in my van. Lucky find, i know, but I'm managed to find 2 AMC 401s' and a 340 Mopar in the last two years as well- the most expensive one was the last 401 @ $200 fully dressed. Never just walk on by w/o checking (aka "windshield shoppin'") the older rigs. Just 'cause you're on a budget doesn't mean you down for the count...oh, just scored a pair of Mercury valve covers for $59.50 (shipped) via eBay last month for that 410,too. I want you to show me up and find better scores than I have!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 4
From: Golden, CO
In your case Alvin, the ideal stroker to replace that 360 just may be a 390...seriously.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 4
From: Mddl A MexCans
I don't know I'd give up that easily. But then Alvin is rather passive LOL! no pun amigo! Wish I could comment on the 390/410 vs any damn thing as of recent. Both of mine are in pieces and slow going together as I have reached that age where **** just doesn't need to happen yesterday anymore!! Scarry Huh? Anywho I do recall a 74 f100 I had with a 2bbl /390-C6 and the thing was sick!!! OEM it just scarred the hell outa lots of little SOBS's with loud piped Hondas back in the late 80's LMAO!
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 232
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From: Idaho
I kinda have the same delema. A 71 360 4v with 125000 on it. Runs ok but I want just a daily driver with some tug once in a while for a trailer or camper or boat. the hope is fuel efficient as possible yet cheep power. The dedate before was stroking the 360 would eat fuel milage and that I should stay with rebuilding the heads and pistons & rings.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,760
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From: Gadsden Purchase
Copied from Pat Ganahl's book "Ford Performance"...
__________bhp______torque ___compression ratio
361Edsel 303/4600... 400/2800... 10.5 in'58 9.6 in'59
360FE.... 215/4400... 327/2400..... 8.4
361FT.... 210/4000... 345/2000..... 7.4
I don't know nuthin about nuthin but looks like the 361FT would be more
useful to me than the 360FE.
Tell me where I'm messed up about that. :)
No kidding.
Alvin in AZ
ps- I've got a factory 61,000mile '74 361FT waiting for me to pull it and
slap it in my pickup... I think I'll try to do that just to see what happens.
What do you think of that crazy idea? :)
__________bhp______torque ___compression ratio
361Edsel 303/4600... 400/2800... 10.5 in'58 9.6 in'59
360FE.... 215/4400... 327/2400..... 8.4
361FT.... 210/4000... 345/2000..... 7.4
I don't know nuthin about nuthin but looks like the 361FT would be more
useful to me than the 360FE.
Tell me where I'm messed up about that. :)
No kidding.
Alvin in AZ
ps- I've got a factory 61,000mile '74 361FT waiting for me to pull it and
slap it in my pickup... I think I'll try to do that just to see what happens.
What do you think of that crazy idea? :)
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 8
From: Gadsden Purchase
What's going on around here is the vehicles out last the engines by double -at
least- if you consider just swapping them out as opposed to the expense of a
rebuild. So not much in the way of cheap 390's like there are in the rust belt.
http://i40.tinypic.com/rs76gx.jpg (from a recent dent-side thread, MN)
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/F150-9inch.jpg (mine, AZ)
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/F100rust.jpg (my parts truck, AZ)
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/F100cabmount.jpg
Can't even give that cab away. :)
Alvin in AZ
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